UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA   PUBLICATIONS 

COLLEGE  OF  AGRICULTURE 

AGRICULTURAL  EXPERIMENT  STATION 

BERKELEY,  CALIFORNIA 


CAPRIFIGS  AND  CAPRIFICATION 


BY 

I.  J.  CONDIT 


BULLETIN  No.  319 

March,  1920 


UNIVERSITY   OF  CALIFORNIA   PRESS 

BERKELEY 

1920 


David  P.  Barrows,  President  of  the  University. 

EXPERIMENT  STATION  STAFF 
Heads  of  Divisions 

Thomas  Forsyth  Hunt,  Dean. 

Edward  J.  Wickson,  Horticulture  f Emeritus). 

Walter  Mulford,  Forestry,  Director  of  Resident  Instruction. 

Herbert  J.  Webber,  Director  Agricultural  Experiment  Station. 

B.  H.  Crocheron,  Director  of  Agricultural  "Extension. 
Hubert  E.  Van  Norman,  Vice-Director;  Dairy  Management. 

James  T.  Barrett,  Acting  Director  of  Citrus  Experiment  Station;  Plant  Pathology. 
William  A.  Setchell,  Botany. 
Myer  E.  Jaffa,  Nutrition. 
Charles  W.  Woodworth,  Entomology. 
Ralph  E.  Smith,  Plant  Pathology. 
J.  Eliot  Coit,  Citriculture. 
John  W.  Gilmore,  Agronomy. 
Charles  F.  Shaw,  Soil  Technology. 
John  W.  Gregg,  Landscape  Gardening  and  Floriculture. 
Frederic  T.  Bioletti,  Viticulture  and  Enology. 
Warren  T.  Clarke,  Agricultural  Extension. 
John  S.  Burd,  Agricultural  Chemistry. 
Charles  B.  Lipman,  Soil  Chemistry  and  Bacteriology. 
Clarence  M.  Haring,  Veterinary  Science  and  Bacteriology. 
Ernest  B.  Babcock,  Genetics. 
Gordon  H.  True,  Animal  Husbandry. 
Fritz  W.  Woll,  Animal  Nutrition. 
W.  P.  Kelley,  Agricultural  Chemistry. 
H.  J.  Quayle,  Entomology. 
Elwood  Mead,  Rural  Institutions. 
H.  S.  Reed,  Plant  Physiology. 
L.  D.  Batchelor,  Orchard  Management. 
J.  C.  Whitten,  Pomology. 
fFRANK  Adams,  Irrigation  Investigations. 

C.  L.  Roadhouse,  Dairy  Industry. 
R.  L.  Adams,  Farm  Management, 

F.  L.  Griffin,  Agricultural  Education. 
John  E.  Dougherty,  Poultry  Husbandry. 
L.  J.  Fletcher,  Agricultural  Engineering. 
Edwin  C.  Voorhies,  Assistant  to  the  Dean. 


DIVISION  OF  CITRICULTURE 

J.  Eliot  Coit  *I.  J.  Condit 

R.  W.  Hodgson  J.  C.  Johnston 


fin  co-operation  with  office  of  Public  Roads  and  Rural  Engineering,  U.  S.  Department  of  Agriculture. 
♦Resigned. 


CAPRIFIGS  AND  CAPRIFICATION 

By  I.  J.  CONDIT 


For  many  centuries  there  has  been  grown  in  a  small  valley  of 
Asia  Minor  a  type  of  fig  known  as  the  Smyrna,  so  called  from  the 
seaport  where  the  figs  are  packed  and  shipped.  The  superior  quality 
of  these  dried  Smyrna  figs  is  recognized  in  all  markets  to  which  they 
have  been  shipped  and  other  fig-growing  countries  have  long  striven 
to  produce  the  same  quality  in  their  own  fig  product.  It  was  known 
that  the  native  growers  of  Smyrna  made  a  practice  in  the  spring  of 
the  year  of  suspending  wild  figs  or  caprifigs,  in  the  Smyrna  trees. 
From  these  capri  figs  there  issued  hundreds  of  small  insects  or  wasps 
known  scientifically  as  Blastophaga  grossorum,  which  entered  the  eye 
of  the  Smyrna  fig,  causing  the  fruit  to  set.  In  case  this  operation 
was  neglected,  or  if  caprifigs  were  unobtainable,  the  small  Smyrna 
figs  soon  turned  yellow  and  dropped  off,  causing  a  crop  failure.  The 
process  of  distributing  caprifigs  among  the  branches  of  the  Smyrna 
fig  tree,  thus  insuring  the  setting  of  the  fruit  of  the  latter,  is  known 
as  caprification.  Although  caprification  was  known  by  the  native 
growers  to  be  absolutely  necessary  to  crop  production,  they  did  not 
understand  the  principles  underlying  the  process  or  the  real  causes 
either  for  the  setting  or  the  dropping  of  the  Smyrna  fruit.  European 
investigators  have  studied  the  process  and  published  many  articles 
about  it,  but  it  is  only  since  the  introduction  of  the  true  Smyrna  fig 
into  California  and  the  establishment  of  the  fig  wasp  that  the  necessity 
for  a  thorough  knowledge  of  its  practical  aspects  has  been  appre- 
ciated. On  account  of  the  very  rapid  growth  of  the  fig  industry  in 
California  and  the  recent  large  plantings  of  Smyrna  figs,  there  is  a 
keen  demand  for  practical  information  about  varieties  of  caprifigs, 
cost  of  caprification,  and  methods  of  distributing  the  figs  in  the 
orchard.  It  is  the  purpose  of  this  publication  to  present  the  latest 
and  most  reliable  information  on  the  points  just  mentioned,  as  well 
as  on  others  which  may  be  of  prime  importance  to  the  fig  grower. 


342  UNIVERSITY    OF    CALIFORNIA EXPERIMENT    STATION 

HISTORICAL   SKETCH 

The  early  history  of  caprification  has  been  so  thoroughly  reviewed 
by  other  writers1  that  it  is  not  necessary  to  give  a  detailed  account 
here.  Some  of  the  modern  developments,  however,  have  a  practical 
significance  and  these  will  be  briefly  reviewed. 

Cuttings  of  the  true  Smyrna  fig  were  imported  into  California  in 
1881-82  by  G.  P.  Rixford,  at  that  time  of  the  Bulletin  Company,  San 
Francisco.  Among  the  cuttings  there  were  also  a  number  of  cuttings 
of  caprifigs  which  were  known  to  be  necessary  to  the  production  of 
the  edible  figs.  On  account  of  the  financial  and  practical  interests  of 
Governor  Leland  Stanford  in  the  importation,  a  considerable  number 
of  both  the  Smyrna  figs  and  caprifigs  were  planted  on  his  ranch  at 
Vina.  Large  trees  of  both  types  are  still  growing  on  the  place, 
although  unfortunately  many  fine  specimens  have  disappeared.  The 
trees  have  furnished  the  source  of  supply  for  thousands  of  cuttings 
distributed  by  the  Department  of  Agriculture,  among  them  being 
more  or  less  promising  varieties,  such  as  the  Stanford  Smyrna  fig 
and  the  Stanford  caprifig. 

While  engaged  in  the  nursery  business  at  Corning,  W.  H.  Samson 
propagated  fig  trees  extensively  with  cuttings  obtained  from  the 
Stanford  Ranch.  Since  the  trees  were  growing  mostly  in  a  row 
along  an  irrigation  ditch,  Mr.  Samson  numbered  the  trees  from  which 
cuttings  were  taken  as  1,  3,  5,  and  21,  according  to  their  position  in 
the  row.  Nursery  trees  were  sold  and  shipped  under  these  numbers 
to  fig  growers  throughout  the  state,  although  orchards  from  this  source 
are  now  most  common  at  Merced  and  Corning. 

The  Smyrna  fig  orchards  of  the  San  Joaquin  Valley  are  made  up 
mostly  of  varieties  introduced  by  G.  C.  Roeding,  Fresno.  The  first 
introduction  was  made  in  1888  and  eventually  an  orchard  of  sixty 
acres  was  planted.  On  account  of  the  lack  of  caprifigs  containing 
insects  this  orchard  was  maintained  at  a  loss  for  several  years,  the 
first  commercial  crop  being  harvested  in  1900  following  the  successful 
establishment  of  the  fig  wasp  the  previous  year.  Three  varieties  of 
caprifig  imported  by  Mr.  Roeding  were  numbered  1,  2,  and  3  before 
their  seasons  of  fruiting  were  known.  No.  3  has  since  proved  to  be 
the  earliest  and  No.  2  the  latest  in  ripening.     Mr.  Roeding  has  also 


1  Eeaders  who  desire  to  obtain  references  on  caprification  should  consult  Bulle- 
tin 9,  Division  of  Pomology,  United  States  Department  of  Agriculture,  by  Gustav 
Eisen,  and  United  States  Department  of  Agriculture  Bulletin  732  (same),  by 
G.  P.  Rixford. 


Bulletin  319  caprifigs  and  caprification  343 

introduced  the  Magnissalis,  the  Howard,  and  other  varieties  of  capri- 
fig  as  well  as  the  Calimyrna,  the  variety  of  Smyrna  fig  which  is  being 
planted  almost  exclusively  at  the  present  time. 

The  early  literature  on  the  fig  in  California  abounds  in  articles 
discussing  the  necessity  for  caprification  and  the  identity  of  the  true 
Smyrna  fig.  In  an  attempt  to  prove  these  points  E.  W.  Maslin 
obtained  some  seeds  of  the  imported  Smyrna  fig  from  San  Francisco 
and  later  from  New  York,  raised  seedlings  and  planted  them  in 
orchard  form  at  Loomis  in  1887.  The  fruit  appearing  on  the  seedlings 
all  dropped  on  account  of  lack  of  caprification  until  the  fig  wasp  was 
established  at  Loomis  in  1901.  It  was  then  found  that  of  the  139 
seedling  trees  74  were  caprifig  and  65  Smyrna  fig  trees.  The  orchard 
was  leased  by  Mr.  Roeding  during  the  seasons  from  1905  to  1907, 
inclusive,  and  by  the  late  Henry  Markarian  of  Fresno  for  the  season 
following.  Because  it  was  so  difficult  for  the  growers  to  get  an  adequate 
supply  of  caprifigs  for  their  trees,  the  Maslin  seedling  fig  orchard  at 
Loomis  was  leased  by  the  Department  of  Agriculture  on  November  1, 
1908,  since  which  time  caprifigs  have  been  widely  distributed  in  small 
quantities  free  and  in  large  quantities  at  cost.  Cuttings  of  the  best 
varieties  have  also  been  sent  out  to  applicants,  and  seedling  figs  have 
been  grown  in  large  numbers  for  trial  by  interested  growers.  Such 
distributions  have  been  in  charge  of  G.  P.  Rixford,  San  Francisco, 
for  the  United  States  Department  of  Agriculture.  The  seedling  capri- 
fig trees  in  the  Maslin  orchard  have  been  numbered  according  to  their 
position,  the  following  being  worthy  of  note:  No.  70  or  Bleasdale, 
No.  144  or  Mason,  No.  147  or  Loomis,  No.  148  or  Newcastle. 

THE    FIG    FRUIT    AND    ITS    STRUCTURE 

The  fruit  of  the  fig  tree  consists  of  a  hollow  receptacle  on  the  inner 
lining  of  which  the  flowers  are  borne.  The  first  crop  of  fruit  pushes 
out  on  the  wood  of  the  previous  season  at  the  same  time  that  leaves 
are  appearing  on  the  new  growth  of  the  current  year.  The  small 
buttons  or  buds  which  are  more  or  less  apparent  during  the  winter 
simply  enlarge  and  continue  growth  throughout  the  spring  months, 
developing  into  mature  fruits  commonly  known  as  "brebas,"  in  May, 
June,  or  July,  depending  upon  the  rapidity  of  growth.  The  second 
crop  of  figs  appears  on  the  new  wood  in  the  axils  of  the  leaves  and 
matures  during  the  summer  and  fall  months.  All  figs  have  at  the 
apex  a  more  or  less  distinct  opening  or  eye  leading  into  the  interior. 
The  neck  of  the  eye  is  lined  with  scales  which  either  remain  closely 
appressed  as  the  fig  matures  or  spread  apart  and  leave  the  eye  open. 


344  UNIVERSITY    OF    CALIFORNIA EXPERIMENT    STATION 

The  edible  part  of  the  mature  fig  consists  of  the  fleshy  meat  of  the 
receptacle  and  the  pulpy  mass  which  develops  around  the  flowers 
during  the  process  of  growth. 

Flowers. — There  are  three  kinds  of  flowers  found  in  figs :  the 
pistillate  or  female  flowers,  the  staminate  or  male  flowers,  and  the  gall 
flowers.  These,  as  a  rule,  are  not  all  found  in  any  one  fig  but  are 
mostly  characteristic  of  the  fruit  borne  by  certain  classes  of  figs. 

The  female  flowers  are  practically  the  only  kind  borne  within  the 
receptacle  of  edible  figs.  The  individual  flower  consists  of  either  a 
simple  or  a  forked  stigma,  a  long  slender  style,  and  a  one-celled  ovary. 
It  can  be  stated  in  a  general  way  that  practically  all  female  flowers 
are  capable  of  pollination  and  fertilization,  processes  which  may  or 
may  not  be  necessary  to  the  setting  of  fruit,  as  will  be  explained  later. 

The  male  flowers  are  borne  almost  exclusively  within  the  receptacle 
and  near  the  eye  of  the  caprifig,  which  is  therefore  commonly  known 
as  the  male  fig.  In  many  varieties  individual  stamens  are  found 
among  the  other  flowers  of  the  caprifig.  The  male  flowers  are  numer- 
ous in  the  spring  crop  of  the  caprifig  tree  and  lacking,  or  nearly  so, 
in  the  fall  and  winter  crops.  One  species  of  fig  known  as  Ficus 
pseudocarica  bears  stamens  in  the  figs  of  all  crops  produced  by 
the  tree. 

The  stamens  consist  of  a  filament  or  stalk  which  varies  in  length 
according  to  position,  and  of  three  to  six  anthers  borne  at  the  top  of 
the  filament,  each  anther  being  supported  by  a  short  pedicel.  The 
yellow  pollen  is  shed  in  quantity  by  the  anthers  at  the  time  the  fig 
matures  and  the  insects  are  ready  to  emerge.  The  number  of  stamens 
and  the  amount  of  pollen  produced  vary  somewhat  in  different 
varieties  of  caprifigs  and  are  an  indication  of  the  value  of  a  variety. 

The  gall  flowers  are  modified  female  flowers  which  have  become 
adapted  to  the  needs  of  the  fig  insect.  The  flower  consists  of  an  ovary, 
a  style,  and  stigma  as  in  the  female  flower,  but  the  style  is  short, 
stubby,  and  hollow,  instead  of  long  and  slender,  and  the  stigma  is 
rather  broad  and  flattened.  They  are  borne  principally  in  the  lower 
half  of  the  receptacle  of  the  caprifig.  The  color  of  the  style  and  the 
adjoining  part  of  the  receptacle  varies  in  different  kinds  of  caprifigs. 
Some  maintain  a  yellowish-white  color  throughout;  others  are  white 
until  the  flowers  are  stimulated  by  the  egg-laying  of  the  fig  wasp, 
when  they  assume  a  violet  or  purple  tint  very  pronounced  in  some 
specimens.  That  the  gall  flowers  are  modified  female  flowers  is  shown 
by  the  fact  that  they  will  mature  fertile  seeds  if  caprified  and  the 
eggs  of  the  insects  fail  to  develop  inside  the  ovaries. 


Bulletin  319 


CAPRIFIGS   AND    CAPRIFICATION 


345 


CLASSES    OF   FIGS 


Figs  are  generally  classified  on  the  basis  of  the  kind  of  flowers 
borne  within  the  receptacle  and  upon  the  necessity  for  caprification. 
For  all  practical  purposes  the  recognition  of  four  classes  is  sufficient. 
These  are  Caprifigs,  common  figs,  San  Pedro  figs,  and  Smyrna  figs. 


Fig.  1. — The  largest  tigs  in  the  illustration  are  mamme  figs  from  which  the 
Blastophagas  are  issuing.  The  four  smaller  figs  at  the  tip  of  the  branch  are 
profichi  figs  of  sufficient  size  for  the  female  insects  to  enter  and  oviposit.  Note 
the  female  Blastophagas  on  the  surface  of  the  fruit. 


Caprifigs. — The  caprifig  is  the  native  or  wild  goat  fig  of  south- 
western Asia  and  southeastern  Europe.  The  gall  flowers  of  the 
receptacle  serve  as  the  home  or  place  of  development  of  the  larvae 
of  the  fig  wasp  in  all  crops  of  the  tree.  The  caprifigs  are  mostly 
inedible  on  account  of  the  presence  of  the  insects  and  the  mass  of 
dry  male  flowers  near  the  eye.     A  few  varieties  of  edible  caprifigs 


346 


UNIVERSITY    OF    CALIFORNIA EXPERIMENT    STATION 


or  figs  bearing  short-styled  flowers  are  found,  notably  Pingo  de  Mel 
grown  commercially  in  the  Coachella  Valley.  The  Cordelia  fig 
described  by  Gustav  Eisen  probably  belongs  here. 

The  caprifigs  can  readily  be  distinguished  from  the  common  or 
Smyrna  figs  by  the  short-styled  flowers  of  the  former. 

Common  figs. — This  class  of  figs  is  so  called  from  the  fact  that 
most  of  the  innumerable  varieties  of  figs  grown  in  Europe  and 
America  belong  to  it.  The  female  flowers  have  a  long  slender  style 
but  do  not  require  the  stimulus  of  pollination  and  fertilization  to  make 


Fig.  2. — Stanford  Capri  tree,  Bowen  Place,  Ceres,  June  11,  1919.     The  Stan- 
ford caprifig  tree  is  an  unusually  vigorous  grower. 


the  fruit  set.  The  development  of  the  fruit  is  somewhat  analogous 
to  that  of  the  navel  orange,  many  oriental  persimmons,  and  the  seed- 
less grape,  the  flowers  usually  being  unpollinated  and  the  fruits 
seedless.  Most  of  the  common  figs  develop  seeds  which  are  mere 
hollow  shells  without  a  kernel.  Some  are  almost  seedless. 

Caprification  of  the  common  figs  is  possible  but  not  necessary  to 
fruit  development.  It  has  been  fully  demonstrated  that  most  varieties 
of  common  figs  can  be  caprified  and  made  to  produce  an  abundance 
of  fertile  seeds.  The  practical  importance  of  this  matter  will  be 
discussed  later. 

The  Mission,  Adriatic,  Black  San  Pedro,  Dottato  (Kadota),  Brown 
Turkey,  Brunswick,  and  numerous  other  varieties  belong  to  this  class. 


Bulletin  319 


CAPRLFIGS   AND    CAPRIFICATION 


347 


Smyrna  figs. — The  female  flowers  of  Smyrna  figs  have  long  slender 
styles  very  similar  to  those  of  the  common  figs.  The  flowers,  however, 
require  the  stimulus  of  pollination  and  the  resulting  fertilization  of 
the  ovary  in  order  to  make  the  fruit  set.  Without  this  stimulation 
the  fruits  soon  turn  yellow  and  drop.  It  is  the  oily  kernel  of  the 
fertile  seed  which  gives  the  fresh  and  especially  the  dried  Smyrna 


Fig.  3. — The  Milco  caprifig  tree  is  as  certain  as  any  other  variety  to  carry 
the  mamme  or  winter  crop  safely.  The  mamme  figs  are  large  and  conspicuous  on 
the  leafless  branches  during  the  dormant  season. 


figs  their  superior  quality.  The  essential  differences  between  the 
common  and  Smyrna  fig  in  the  necessity  for  caprification,  have  not 
been  determined. 

The  Calimyrna,  Lob  Injir,  Bardajic,  Kassaba,  and  Rixford  are 
varieties  of  the  Smyrna  class. 

San  Pedro  figs. — The  figs  of  this  class  are  peculiar  in  that  the 
flowers  produced  in  the  fruit  of  the  first  crop  differ  from  those  of  the 
second  crop.  The  nature  of  the  flowers  produced  by  the  first-crop  figs 
is  similar  to  that  of  the  common  figs  and  the  fruit  matures  without 
the  necessity  of  caprification.  The  flowers  produced  by  figs  of  the 
second  crop  are  similar  in  nature  to  those  of  Smyrna  figs,  requiring 
the  stimulus  of  caprification  in  order  to  set  fruit. 


348 


UNIVERSITY    OF    CALIFORNIA EXPERIMENT    STATION 


The  White  San  Pedro  fig  is  grown  commercially  in  the  Coachella 
Valley,  principally  for  the  large,  first-crop  figs  produced.  The  Gentile 
fig  also  belongs  to  this  class. 

Why  figs  drop. — We  may  now  understand  the  reasons  for  the 
dropping  of  figs.  Figs  which  drop  may  be  of  the  Smyrna  class,  the 
fruits  of  which  require  caprification  in  order  to  set  and  remain  on 
the  tree ;  they  may  be  of  the  caprifig  class,  the  fruits  of  which  drop 


Fig.  4. — The  Milco  is  a  standard  variety  of  caprifig  throughout  the  state, 
although  too  late  to  be  satisfactory  in  some  sections.  Large  trees  are  especially 
common  in  Stanislaus  County. 


unless  inhabited  by  the  fig  insect ;  or  they  may  be  common  figs  which 
drop  because  of  unsuitable  climatic  conditions.  The  presence  of  the 
larvae  of  the  fig  wasp  in  the  gall  flowers  of  the  capri  fig  is  just  as 
essential  to  making  that  fruit  remain  on  the  tree  as  the  caprification 
of  the  Smyrna  fig  is  necessary  to  make  it  develop.  The  dropping  of 
Smyrna  figs  can  only  be  corrected  by  caprification  at  the  proper  time. 
The  dropping  of  caprifigs  can  only  be  prevented  by  colonizing  the 
figs  at  the  proper  time  with  the  fig  wasp.  The  dropping  of  figs  on 
account  of  climatic  conditions  can  not  usually  be  remedied  and 
varieties  more  suited  to  the  conditions  should  be  substituted  by 
replanting  or  topworking. 


Bulletin  319 


CAPRIFIGS   AND    CAPRIFICATION 


349 


CROPS   OF  THE   CAPRIFIG   TREE 


There  are  generally  recognized  three  distinct  crops  of  the  caprifig 
tree :  the  spring  or  profichi  crop,  the  summer  or  mammoni  crop,  and 
the  winter  or  mwmme  crop.    In  the  Imperial  Valley  of  California  there 


Fig.  5. — Caprifig  trees  often  reach  a  large  size  and  bear  very  large  crops.  The 
picking  of  figs  from  such  trees  is  difficult  and  expensive,  however,  and  smaller, 
more  spreading  trees  are  desirable.  The  picking  scene  shown  here  was  taken  at 
the  Markarian  Fig  Gardens,  Fresno,  1917. 


350  UNIVERSITY    OF    CALIFORNIA EXPERIMENT    STATION 

are  said  to  be  seven  generations  of  the  fig  wasp  developing  in  as  many 
crops  of  the  caprifig,  Ficus  pseudocarica.2 

The  profichi  crop. — The  figs  of  the  profichi  crop  push  out  on  the 
wood  of  the  previous  season's  growth  (sometimes  on  still  older  wood) 
about  the  same  time  the  leaves  are  appearing  on  the  new  growth, 
which  is  usually  the  latter  part  of  March  or  the  first  of  April.  The 
number  of  profichi  figs  borne  by  some  trees  is  almost  incredible,  often 
totaling  considerably  more  than  the  leaves  on  the  tree  at  the  same 
time.  A  single  Stanford  tree  has  been  known  to  bear  15,000  to  20,000 
profichi  figs  and  a  single  Roeding  No.  1  tree  from  12,000  to  15,000  figs. 

The  dates  of  the  appearance  of  the  profichi  figs  in  the  spring  do 
not  differ  materially  in  the  coast  and  valley  districts.  The  dates  of 
maturity  of  the  profichi  figs  differ  considerably,  however,  due  to  the 
climatic  differences  existing  in  the  various  districts.  At  Fresno  the 
warm  days  and  nights  hasten  the  development  of  the  fruit  and  the 
larvae  in  the  galls  so  that  full  maturity  is  reached  about  the  second 
week  in  June,  or  about  70  days  after  the  figs  were  entered  by  the  fig 
wasp.  In  the  San  Francisco  Bay  region  the  cool  days  and  nights  and 
the  fogs  retard  the  development  of  the  fruit  so  that  full  maturity  is 
not  reached  until  the  middle  of  August  or  even  the  first  of  September. 
These  differences  in  the  time  of  maturity  of  the  profichi  figs  make  it 
possible  and  practicable  to  ship  them  from  an  early  section  to  a  later 
and  vice  versa. 

The  profichi  figs  normally  contain  a  large  number  of  gall  flowers 
within  the  receptacle  and  a  mass  of  male  or  staminate  flowers  near  the 
eye.  Actual  counts  (tabulated  elsewhere)  of  the  numbers  of  gall 
flowers  and  stamens  in  different  varieties  show  as  many  as  1350  gall 
flowers  and  220  stamens  in  some  and  as  few  as  169  galls  and  39 
stamens  in  others.  The  proportion  of  gall  flowers  to  stamens  varies 
considerably,  being  2  to  1  in  some  specimens  and  10  to  1  in  others. 
The  proportion  of  7  or  8  to  1  is  probably  a  normal  one  and  sufficient 
as  far  as  stamens  are  concerned  if  the  pollen  is  abundant. 

The  sizes  of  the  individual  profichi  figs  of  different  varieties  vary 
considerably.  They  may  or  may  not  be  uniform  in  size  on  the  same 
tree.  A  fig  less  than  one  inch  in  diameter  may  be  considered  small; 
one  two  inches  or  more  in  diameter  is  large.  Large  figs  are,  as  a  rule, 
more  desirable  than  small  ones,  but  large  size  should  be  accompanied 
by  other  desirable  characteristics  to  make  a  variety  of  commercial 
value. 

The  profichi  figs  on  the  tree  in  May  or  June  may  be  of  two  kinds 
depending  upon  the  presence  of  the  larvae  in  the  gall  flowers.     The 

2  See  Pacific  .Rural  Press,  March  4,  1916,  and  August  12,  1916. 


Bulletin  319  CAPRIFIGS  AND  CAPRIFICATION  351 

figs  which  are  inhabited  by  insects  which  develop  normally,  and  keep 
green  and  plump  until  maturity,  are  designated  as  insectiferous  figs. 
Those  which  are  not  inhabited  by  insects,  and  which  ripen  prema- 
turely, turn  yellow  and  drop,  are  designated  as  polleniferous  figs. 
Varieties  of  caprifigs  which  consistently  bear  quantities  of  pollen- 
iferous figs  year  after  year  should  be  discarded  as  such  figs  are  of 
no  value  whatever  in  caprification,  even  though  they  produce  pollen 


Fig.  6. — Short  and  long  styled  fig  flowers  contrasted.     Enlarged  five  times. 

abundantly.  Proliferation,  which  manifests  itself  in  malformed  speci- 
mens with  a  mass  of  stamens  protruding  through  the  eye,  is  common, 
especially  in  polleniferous  figs.  It  may  be  a  variety  characteristic 
or  simply  a  seasonal  occurrence. 

During  the  period  of  development  the  insectiferous  figs  can  be 
distinguished  from  the  polleniferous  figs  by  their  appearance.  The 
former  are  bluish-green  or  dark  green  in  color,  firm,  and  plump;  the 
latter  are  yellowish-green,  more  or  less  ribbed  and  inclined  to  be  soft 
or  spongy.  When  nearing  maturity  the  insectiferous  figs  assume  a 
lighter  green  color  and  soften  perceptibly.  The  scales  at  the  eye 
spread  apart  and  leave  a  distinct  opening  into  the  fig ;  eventually  the 
scales  become  stiff  and  more  or  less  erect. 


352 


UNIVERSITY    OF    CALIFORNIA EXPERIMENT    STATION 


The  pollen,  which  is  usually  borne  in  profusion  by  the  stamens, 
matures  just  previous  to  the  time  the  fig  wasps  are  ready  to  leave 
the  fruit.  The  relative  abundance  or  scarcity  of  the  pollen  produced 
by  a  capri  fig  can  be  easily  gauged  by  breaking  the  fig  open  and 
shaking  it  over  the  open  palm.  When  first  dusted  out  the  pollen 
appears  yellowish-white :  after  a  few  hours '  drying  the  color  changes 
to  an  orange-yellow.    The  pollen  grains  are  fairly  uniform  in  size,  are 


Fig.  7. — Koeding  No.  3  is  the  earliest  variety  of  caprifig  grown  commercially 
in  California.  The  profichi  figs  are  large  and  well  supplied  with  insects  and 
pollen. 


spherical  or  slightly  oval,  and  do  not  show  any  distinct  or  character- 
istic surface  markings. 

The  texture  of  profichi  figs  varies  somewhat  in  different  varieties. 
Some  have  a  thick  pithy  meat  or  rind  which  contains  considerable 
moisture  and  resists  drying.  Such  figs,  known  by  some  growers  as 
"wet  figs,"  are  favored,  since  they  presumably  enable  the  insects  to 
issue  over  a  longer  period  after  the  figs  are  placed  in  the  baskets. 
Markarian  No.  2  and  Roeding  No.  3  are  of  this  nature.  Other  figs 
are  known  as  "dry  figs,"  since  the  meat  is  thin  and  dry,  Roeding 
No.  1  and  No.  2  and  Pseudocarica  being  typical  examples. 


Bulletin  319 


CAPRIFIGS   AND    CAPRIFICATION 


353 


-4'W     ^-^j    H\] 

■Hb^J^- 

Oil 

Fig.  8. — Mamoni  or  summer  crop  caprifigs. 

T/ie  mammoni  crop. — The  figs  of  the  mammoni  crop  appear  singly 
or  doubly  in  the  axils  of  leaves  on  wood  of  the  current  season 's  growth. 
The  dates  of  their  appearance  and  abundance  vary  considerably  in 
the  different  varieties.    On  trees  of  the  Milco  at  Fresno  the  mammoni 


Fig.  9. — Staminate  caprifig  flowers.     Enlarged  ten  times. 


354 


UNIVERSITY    OF    CALIFORNIA EXPERIMENT    STATION 


figs  appeared  in  numbers  a  week  or  ten  days  before  the  profichi  figs  on 
the  same  tree  were  mature.  On  trees  of  other  varieties  the  mammoni 
figs  may  not  appear  until  practically  all  the  fig  wasps  have  issued 
from  the  profichi  figs.  Some  varieties  such  as  Roeding  No.  2  bear 
very  few  if  any  mammoni  figs. 

The  figs  of  the  mammoni  crop  are  small  in  size  and  few  in  number 
compared  to  the  figs  of  the  profichi  crop.     It  is  only  in  the  mammoni 


Fig.  10. — Markarian  No.  2  from  Markarian  Fig  Gardens,  June,  1919.  This 
caprifig  is  an  early  variety  with  large  profichi  figs.  Trees  are  not  common  and 
the  variety  has  not  been  widely  tested. 


crop  that  fertile  seeds  are  commonly  found  in  caprifigs.  These  result 
from  pollination  by  the  pollen-carrying  Blast  ophagas  of  the  preceding- 
crop  and  from  the  fact  that  either  the  female  Blast  ophagas  did  not 
oviposit  in  the  seed-bearing  flowers  or  the  eggs  failed  to  develop  if 
deposited.  The  gall  flowers  of  the  mammoni  fig  are  undoubtedly 
pollinated  while  the  female  Blast  ophaga  is  engaged  in  depositing  a 
single  egg  in  each  flower.  The  ovules  or  embryo  seeds  start  to  develop 
but  in  most  cases  are  consumed  by  the  growing  larvae.  The  planting 
of  seeds  from  mammoni  figs  can  not  be  expected  to  produce  markedly 
different  results  from  the  planting  of  seeds  of  Smyrna  figs.  B.  Longo 
has  shown  this  to  be  true  by  experimental  work  in  Italy  between 


Bulletin  319 


CAPRIFIGS   AND    CAPRIFICATXON 


355 


1911  and  1917.  G.  P.  Rixford  also  reports  the  planting  of  such  seeds 
at  Chico,  California.3 

Many  of  the  mammoni  figs  which  are  not  inhabited  at  all  or  only 
by  a  few  larvae  become,  at  maturity,  pulpy  and  edible.  The  mammoni 
figs  of  the  Milco  especially  are  large,  brown,  and  pulpy. 

The  mammoni  figs  in  the  Fresno  district  reach  maturity  during 
September  and  October  and  the  issuing  Blastophagas  enter  the  small 


Fig.  11. — Samson  (Markarian  No.  1)  is  an  excellent  variety  of  caprifig  except 
for  the  blemish  shown  in  Fig.  12.  Trees  are  widely  distributed  both  in  the  San 
Joaquin  and  Sacramento  valleys. 


caprifigs  which  appear  scatteringly  during  the  same  season.  The 
cooler  weather  of  October  and  November  retards  the  development  of 
the  figs  so  that  the  larvae  inside  and  many  of  the  mammoni  figs  remain 
on  the  tree  during  the  winter  season,  the  insects  hibernating  in  the 
larval  state. 

Stamens,  bearing  pollen,  are  not  uncommonly  found  in  the  mam- 
moni figs  of  some  varieties. 

The  mamme  crop. — The  term  mamme  is  almost  universally  used 
to  designate  the  crop  of  caprifigs  which  remains  on  the  tree  during 


3  Atti  della  Eeale  Academia  dei  Lincei,  Series  5,  Vol.  27,  fasc.  1,  1918.  B. 
Longo. 

Bulletin  732,  United  States  Department  of  Agriculture,  1918,  pp.  15,  16.  G.  P. 
Eixford. 


356  UNIVERSITY    OF    CALIFORNIA EXPERIMENT    STATION 

the  winter  season.  The  crop  is  rather  commonly  known  in  the  San 
Joaquin  Valley  as  "carry  over."  Only  those  figs  which  are  inhabited 
by  Blast  ophagas  remain  on  the  tree.  The  presence  of  the  immature 
Blast ophagas  in  the  mamme  fig  is  just  as  essential  to  its  proper  devel- 
opment on  the  tree  as  is  the  presence  of  the  fertile  seed  in  the  Smj^rna 
fig  to  make  it  set  and  develop. 

The  mamme  figs  appear  in  the  same  manner  and  position  as  the 
mammoni  figs,  but  later  in  the  season.     As  with  the  other  crops  the 


■ 


Fig.  12. — This  peculiar  spot  or  blemish  is  a  characteristic  of  some  of  the 
profichi  figs  of  the  Samson  (Markarian  No.  1).  It  is  found  on  all  trees  of  the 
variety  and  is  evidently  distributed  by  cuttings. 

number  and  size  of  the  mamme  figs  vary  considerably  in  the  different 
varieties.  Roeding  No.  2  carries  practically  no  winter  crop  and  there- 
fore, unless  reinfested  in  April  from  trees  of  other  varieties,  fails  to 
set  the  profichi  crop.  The  Milco  and  Stanford  are  generally  regarded 
as  varieties  which  are  as  certain  to  "carry  over"  as  any  others.  In 
fact  isolated  trees  of  both  varieties  are  commonly  found  which  are 
known  to  have  harbored  the  Blastophaga  unaided  through  a  long  series 
of  years. 

Stamens  are  commonly  found  in  the  ordinary  varieties  of  capri 
figs  during  the  winter.  As  many  as  110  staminate  flowers  with  well- 
developed  anthers  have  been  counted  in  a  single  overwintering  Milco 
fig.    It  is  doubtful  whether  the  anthers  of  such  figs  produce  mature  pol- 


Bulletin  319 


CAPRIFIGS   AND    CAPRIFICATION 


357 


len  which  can  be  of  any  value  in  pollinating  breba  Smyrna  figs.  Occa- 
sional overwintering  specimens  with  viable  pollen  may  be  found  in 
April,  but  so  rarely  as  to  be  of  little  practical  consequence.  Whether 
these  stamen-bearing  winter  figs  are  called  belated  mammoni  or 
mamme  is  immaterial  as  both  kinds  carry  the  Blastophaga  over  until 


Fig.  13. — The  female  Blastophaga  enlarged  twenty-seven  times. 


spring.  As  previously  stated,  the  caprifig  known  as  Pseudocarica  bears 
numerous  stamens  in  the  figs  of  the  mamme  crop  and  in  the  Imperial 
Valley  produces  sufficient  pollen  to  be  of  value  in  caprifying  breba 
figs.  So  far  in  the  San  Joaquin  Valley  the  Pseudocarica  has  been 
of  no  value  in  this  respect,  either  on  account  of  lack  of  pollen  or  failure 
to  develop  at  the  right  season. 

Since  mamme  figs  remain  on  the  tree  during  the  winter  they  are 
subject  to  injury  or  total  destruction  by  frost.  No  definite  tempera- 
ture limit  can  be  set  as  indicating  freedom  from  frost  damage,  since 
conditions  other  than  temperature,  such  as  humidity,  enter  into  the 
consideration. 


358  UNIVERSITY    OF    CALIFORNIA EXPERIMENT    STATION 

Although  various  methods  of  storing  mamme  figs  indoors,  either 
loose  or  attached  to  twigs,  can  be  used  in  order  to  avoid  frost  damage 
during  winter  the  necessity  for  such  storage  is  usually  slight,  except 
in  the  most  exposed  and  frosty  situations  where  successful  Smyrna  fig 
culture  is  problematical. 


LIFE   HISTORY  AND   HABITS  OF  THE   FIG   WASP,    BLASTOPHAGA  GROSSORUM 

The  life  history  of  the  Blastophaga  is  simple.  As  just  explained 
the  insects  pass  the  winter  inside  the  mamme  figs  in  the  larval  stage. 
During  the  warmer   weather  of   early   spring   their   development   is 


Fig.   14. — The  male  Blastophaga  enlarged   twenty-seven   times. 

hastened,  they  pass  into  the  pupal  or  resting  stage,  and  about  the  first 
of  April  the  adults  emerge.  The  male  being  the  first  to  issue  from 
the  gall  flower,  immediately  begins  crawling  over  the  surface  of  the 
flowers,  gnaws  an  opening  through  a  thin  translucent  membrane  found 
just  beneath  the  style,  and  impregnates  the  female  while  she  is  still 
inside  the  gall.  The  males  are  wingless  and  may  or  may  not  crawl 
out  of  the  fig,  although  it  is  probable  the  larger  proportion  remain 
inside  and  perish.  The  females  push  their  way  out  of  the  opening 
in  the  gall  made  by  the  male  and  then  issue  through  the  eye  of  the 
fig,  the  scales  of  which  open  up  and  usually  stand  erect  when  the 
caprifig  becomes  mature.  The  winged  females  then  crawl  over  the 
surface  of  leaves  and  fruit  or  make  short  flights  among  the  branches. 
On  windy  days  they  may  be  carried  several  miles  away  from  the  trees. 
As  a  rule  the  first  of  the  profichi  figs  are  ready  to  caprify  before 
any  insects  issue  from  the  mamme  figs.  If  a  grower  wishes  to  insure 
the  setting  of  these  first  profichi  figs  he  may  have  mamme  figs  shipped 
in  from  an  earlier  section.  Development  may  also  be  hastened  by 
placing  bundles  of  branches  containing  mamme  figs  in  tubs  of  water 
set  in  a  greenhouse. 


Bulletin  319  CAPRIFIGS  AND  CAPRIFICATION  359 

The  females  which  enter  the  profichi  figs  deposit  an  egg  in  each 
of  numerous  gall  flowers  and  die  after  becoming  exhausted.  The 
insectiferous  profichi  figs  then  develop  gradually  until  about  the  first 
week  in  June  or  later,  according  to  the  temperature.  From  the 
profichi  figs  the  females  pass  into  the  mammoni  and  then  into  the 
mamme  figs. 

The  number  of  eggs  deposited  by  each  female  is  not  definitely 
known,  but  is  probably  several  dozen.     The  duration  of  the  egg  stage 


Fig.  15. — Blastopliaga  in  act  of  oviposition.  Dark  ovipositor  can  be  seen 
through  translucent  style.     Photo-micrograph.     Greatly  enlarged. 

is  not  definitely  known,  but  the  larval  stage  in  the  profichi  crop 
lasts  about  sixty  days.  The  female  may  remain  alive  over  night  inside 
the  fig;  in  the  sun  and  wind  of  orchard  atmosphere  she  seldom  lives 
more  than  four  or  five  hours. 

The  time  and  rate  of  issuance  of  the  females  depends  upon  the 
temperature.  On  clear  warm  mornings  they  may  begin  to  issue  as 
early  as  seven  o'clock,  in  which  case  they  will  stop  coming  out  by 
noon  if  the  heat  continues.  On  cooler  mornings  the  females  may  not 
issue  freely  until  eight  or  even  nine  o'clock  and  then  continue  to 
issue  during  the  early  hours  of  the  afternoon. 

The  habits  and  actions  of  the  female  Blast ophaga  are  exceedingly 
interesting.    When  the  insects  first  issue  from  the  eye  of  the  caprifig, 


360 


UNIVERSITY    OF    CALIFORNIA EXPERIMENT    STATION 


the  wings,  antennae,  legs,  and  even  the  glossy  part  of  the  thorax,  head, 
and  abdomen  are  dusted  thickly  with  pollen.  The  females  attempt 
to  clean  off  this  excess  pollen  by  stroking  the  body  and  wings  with 
the  front  and  hind  pairs  of  legs.  The  wings  are  at  first  horizontal, 
but  very  soon  take  their  natural,  vertical  position,  both  from  their 
natural  tendency  to  do  so  and  the  efforts  of  the  insect  by  a  fanning 
process  which  straightens  them  out  and  dusts  them  of  excess  pollen. 
In  entering  small  figs  the  female  wedges  the  head  underneath  the 
edge  of  a  scale  at  the  eye  and  then  gradually  pushes  her  body  for- 
ward, using  her  two  rear  legs  as  levers.     The  struggles  of  the  insect 


Fig.  16. — Eight,  male  Blastophaga  emerging  from  gall, 
ing  female  inside  gall. 


Left,  male  impregnat- 


generally  result  in  detaching  the  wings  from  her  body  and  these  are 
left  protruding  from  the  edge  of  the  scale  as  mute  evidence  that  the 
female  has  gained  entrance.  The  entrance  of  one  insect  seems  to  pave 
the  way  for  more.  It  is  not  at  all  uncommon  to  find  mammoni  figs 
with  five  or  six  females,  either  around  the  eye  or  trying  to  force  an 
entrance.  If  such  figs  are  opened,  the  spaces  between  the  scales  are 
literally  packed  full  and  black  with  the  living  and  dead  bodies  of 
Blastophaga. 

When  ovipositing  within  the  small  caprifigs  the  female  is  not 
at  all  disturbed  at  being  observed  under  a  lens.  She  crawls  around 
over  the  surface  of  the  flowers  evidently  feeling  her  way  with  her 
ovipositor.  When  it  is  in  a  favorable  position  or  when  the  tip  enters 
an  open  stigma,  the  female  stops,  forces  the  ovipositor  into  the  hollow 
style,  and  then  becomes  passive  during  the  act  of  oviposition,  which 
lasts  from  45  to  55  seconds.     The  actions  of  the  females  inside  the 


Bulletin  319 


CAPRIFIGS   AND    CAPRIFICATION 


361 


Smyrna  figs  are  very  similar  to  that  inside  the  caprifigs,  except  that 
inasmuch  as  the  long-styled  flowers  of  the  former  are  not  adapted  to 
oviposition,  the  insects  finally  become  exhausted  and  perish. 


PRACTICAL   POINTS    IN    CAPRIFICATION 

Smyrna  figs  are  in  a  receptive  state  during  a  period  of  several 
days.  The  female  Blast  ophag  as  can  enter  when  the  figs  are  less 
than  three-eighths  of  an  inch  in  diameter;  the  flowers  of  such  figs  are 


Fig.  17. — Female  Blastophaga  emerging  from  gall  after  impregnation. 

presumably  receptive  to  pollen.  From  that  stage  until  the  figs  reach 
about  an  inch  in  diameter  they  may  be  entered  by  insects  and  capri- 
fied.  After  a  certain  limit  of  size  and  length  of  time  without  capri- 
fication,  however,  the  stigmas  wither  and  turn  brown,  the  fig  becomes 
yellow  and  eventually  drops  off.  Growers  should  therefore  make 
previous  arrangements  for  a  supply  of  caprifigs  and  begin  to  caprify 
when  the  Smyrna  figs  reach  three-eighths  to  one-half  inch  in  diameter. 
The  length  of  the  season  for  caprification  naturally  depends  upon 
the  appearance  of  the  Smyrna  figs  and  the  available  supply  of  capri- 
figs. As  a  general  rule,  caprifigs  should  be  distributed  every  three 
or  four  days  over  a  period  of  three  weeks.  As  already  pointed  out, 
insects  will  issue  with  a  rush  from  some  "dry"  varieties  while  they 
will  continue  issuing  for  several  days  from  ' '  wet ' '  varieties. 


362 


UNIVERSITY    OF    CALIFORNIA EXPERIMENT    STATION 


Smyrna  fig  trees  are  sometimes  caprified  during  the  third  season 
of  growth,  although  very  few  figs  can  be  expected  until  the  fourth 
season.  The  size  of  the  tree  is  then  a  better  indication  of  the  number 
of  caprifigs  required  than  is  the  age,  since  trees  of  the  same  age  vary 
considerably  in  size.  It  is  difficult  to  give  very  definite  directions 
as  to  the  numbers  of  caprifigs  to  apply  since  varieties  differ  in  their 
effectiveness.     Growers  generally  apply  all  the  caprifigs  they  can  get 


Fig.  18. — The  various  forms  of  containers  for  profichi  figs  are  here  shown. 
The  wire-netting  baskets  are  practically  indestructible  and  are  most  commonly 
used.  Wooden  containers  have  been  utilized  by  a  few  growers  in  the  Reedley 
district. 

or  have  available  at  the  time.  As  a  guide  to  practical  caprification 
the  following  graphic  representation  may  be  of  assistance  (fig.  19). 

This  estimate  of  the  required  number  of  caprifigs  is  based  on  the 
assumption  that  fairly  large  figs  well  filled  with  insects  and  pollen 
are  used,  otherwise  the  number  should  be  materially  increased. 

Picking  oaprifigs. — Caprifigs  are  ready  to  pick  as  soon  as  the  male 
insects  begin  to  issue  freely  from  the  gall  flowers.  This  stage  of  the 
caprifig  can  soon  be  learned  by  opening  a  few  figs  from  which  insects 
are  issuing  and  by  studying  the  exterior  appearance  of  the  fruit. 
Indications  of  maturity  are  the  change  in  color  from  green  to  yellowish- 
green,  the  increased  size  of  the  opening  at  the  eye,  and  a  slightly  soft 


Bulletin  319  caprifigs  and  caprification  363 

feeling  when  pressed  between  the  fingers.  While  caprifigs  picked 
somewhat  green  may  mature  and  allow  insects  to  issue,  there  is  danger 
in  picking  the  figs  too  green  as  the  insects  may  not  issue  at  all  or  only 
poorly,  or  if  they  do  issue  freely,  the  pollen  may  not  mature  properly. 
The  female  Blastophaga  is  absolutely  of  no  value  in  caprification  unless 
dusted  with  viable  pollen. 

Since  the  female  Blastophagus  do  not  issue  freely  after  2  or  3  p.m., 
the  common  practice  is  to  pick  caprifigs  from  that  time  on  until  dark. 
The  figs  are  then  stored  over  night  in  lug  boxes  in  a  cool  place  and 
distributed  early  the  following  morning.  Some  growers  prefer  to 
pick  from  daylight  until  about  9  a.m.,  the  figs  being  distributed 
during  the  same  period  by  a  second  set  of  workmen.  Some  pickers 
use  a  picking  bag,  into  which  the  figs  are  dropped.  The  more  common 
practice,  however,  is  to  rub  the  mature  figs  from  the  branches,  and 
allow  them  to  fall  to  the  ground,  from  which  they  are  gathered  in 
boxes.  The  use  of  a  hooked  wire  to  pull  branches  within  reach  is  of 
advantage  in  picking.  The  caprifigs  should  not  be  allowed  to  remain 
on  the  ground  exposed  to  the  sun,  as  a  half -hour's  exposure  may  injure 
or  even  kill  the  insects  within. 

Pickers  of  caprifigs  soon  learn  the  necessity  for  protecting  their 
hands  and  arms  while  working  on  account  of  the  irritation  caused 
by  the  rough  leaves  and  the  acrid  juice  of  the  fruit. 

Shipping  caprifigs. — The  shipping  of  caprifigs  picked  during  the 
day  so  that  they  will  reach  their  destination  early  the  following  morn- 
ing, is  perfectly  practicable.  Figs  intended  for  shipping  distances 
requiring  more  than  an  over-night  trip  should  be  picked  more  care- 
fully and  more  immature,  otherwise  there  will  be  a  large  number  of 
the  insects  lost  before  the  figs  are  placed  in  the  trees.  Full  dependence 
upon  caprifigs  shipped  from  a  distance  is  hazardous  and  an  outside 
supply  should  be  used  only  to  supplement  the  local  crop.  Growers  in 
some  districts  make  a  practice  of  securing  a  supply  of  profichi  figs 
from  an  earlier  section  in  order  to  insure  the  caprification  of  the  first 
Smyrna  figs  on  the  trees.  The  figs  can  be  shipped  in  any  common 
fruit  box,  perforated  cardboard  cartons  being  used  for  small  lots, 
and  peach,  apple,  or  orange  boxes  for  larger  shipments. 

Containers  for  caprifigs. — The  earliest  method  used  in  California 
to  distribute  caprifigs  was  to  string  the  figs  on  pieces  of  raffia'  and 
hang  them  over  a  limb  or  toss  them  into  the  upper  part  of  the  tree. 
This  method  was  not  only  laborious  but  objectionable  to  the  workmen 
on  account  of  the  irritation  of  the  fingers  caused  by  the  acrid  milky 
juice.    Various  containers  have  come  into  common  use,  these  varying 


364 


UNIVERSITY    OF    CALIFORNIA EXPERIMENT    STATION 


^Jk* 


Bulletin  319  caprifigs  and  caprification  365 

from  strawberry  and  other  fruit  baskets  to  wire  or  wooden  baskets, 
as  illustrated.  Since  the  galvanized  wire  baskets  are  practically 
indestructible,  their  use  is  fast  increasing.  One  type  of  round  basket 
is  made  of  ^-inch  poultry-wire  netting,  four  to  six  inches  in  diameter 
and  about  ten  inches  deep,  with  a  wire  hooked  at  the  top  extending 
down  one  side.  Another  type  is  made  of  %-inch  mesh  screening  cut 
into  12-inch  squares  and  pressed  out  with  a  plunger  into  baskets  six 
inches  square  and  three  inches  deep  with  a  piece  of  bent  wire  for  a 
handle. 

Planting  caprifig  trees. — It  is  now  generally  conceded  by  growers 
that  for  every  one  hundred  Smyrna  fig  trees  planted,  there  should  also 
be  planted  from  three  to  five  caprifig  trees,  the  number  depending 
upon  the  variety.  The  caprifig  trees  have  been  commonly  planted  on 
the  corner  or  side  of  the  orchard  toward  the  prevailing  wind,  a  logical 
practice  since  Blastophagas  issuing  from  unharvested  caprifigs  will 
be  blown  into  the  orchard  by  the  air  currents.  Theoretically  all  capri- 
figs should  be  picked  and  distributed  by  hand  as  fast  as  they  mature, 
but  in  practice  thousands  of  insects  often  issue  and  are  lost  unless 
carried  to  a  fig  tree  by  the  wind. 

The  grouping  of  caprifig  trees  around  farm  buildings  insures  some 
protection  to  the  mamme  crop,  and  moreover  the  trees  are  as  orna- 
mental and  provide  as  much  shelter  and  shade  as  an  umbrella  tree 
or  other  deciduous  tree. 

Some  growers  have  advocated  and  practiced  the  interplanting  of 
caprifig  and  Smyrna  fig  trees  or  the  planting  of  a  single  or  double 
row  of  caprifigs  through  the  middle  of  the  orchard,  thus  expecting  to 
eliminate  considerable  of  the  hand  distribution.  This  is  open  to 
the  objection  that  irregular  results  in  caprification  will  be  obtained, 
some  trees  being  over-caprified  and  some  under-caprified.  Further- 
more, caprifig  trees  differ  in  their  water  requirements  from  the  Smyrna 
fig  tree:  in  May  when  the  Smyrna  fig  trees  are  being  watered,  the 
caprifig  trees  should  not  be  watered  as  irrigation  delays  the  maturity 
of  the  crop.  During  the  summer,  however,  the  caprifig  trees  may  be 
benefited  by  a  light  irrigation  to  help  them  hold  their  leaves  and 
mature  the  summer  crop. 

Since  early  caprifigs  are  especially  desirable,  the  practice  of 
planting  the  trees  in  protected  coves  or  on  warm,  sunny  hillsides  gives 
excellent  results.  The  advisability  of  planting  orchards  of  caprifigs 
alone  to  supply  the  market  demand  has  been  much  discussed.  The 
growers  of  Smyrna  figs  are  taking  more  active  steps  each  year  to 
increase  their  own  supply  of  caprifigs,  PtlttlQUgh  the  demand  for  out- 
side figs  may  be  keen  for  years  to  come. 


366 


UNIVERSITY    OF    CALIFORNIA EXPERIMENT    STATION 


VARIETIES 

The  varieties  of  caprifigs  introduced  from  abroad  and  of  those 
grown  from  seed  are  numerous.  As  with  all  fruits  the  list  of  varieties 
worthy  of  commercial  consideration  has  been  greatly  reduced  and 
plantings  are  being  restricted  to  five  or  six  tested  varieties,  with  a 
few  of  the  newer  kinds  added  for  trial.     It  is  now  generally  agreed 


.  Fig.  20. — Stanford  from  Markarian  Fig  Gardens,  Fresno.  June,  1919.  The 
Stanford  is  regarded  as  the  best  single  variety  of  caprifig  in  the  San  Joaquin 
Valley  on  account  of  vigor  of  growth,  succession  of  crops,  and  long  profichi 
season. 


that  the  early  varieties  are  most  desirable;  therefore  Roeding  No.  3, 
the  earliest  commercial  variety,  and  Markarian  No.  2  are  in  demand. 
For  mid-season,  Stanford,  Roeding  No.  1,  and  Roeding  No.  4  are 
leading  in  favor.  The  Milco,  being  the  latest,  is  planted  to  finish  up 
the  season.  Roeding  No.  2,  Magnissalis  and  Markarian  No.  1  are 
largely  used  wherever  found.  Since  growers  who  have  had  experience 
with  Roeding  No.  3  and  Stanford  regard  them  as  the  two  leading 
varieties  and  perfectly  satisfactory  for  caprification,  it  would  seem 
advisable  to  plant  at  least  80  per  cent  of  the  trees  to  these  varieties. 
The  other  20  per  cent  can  be  made  up  of  Milco,  which  is  a  sure 


Bulletin  319 


CAPRLFIGS   AND    CAPRIFICATION 


367 


carry-over,  of  Roeding  No.  1,  and  Markarian  No.  2  to  supplement  the 
early  and  main  crops,  and  of  a  few  miscellaneous  varieties  which  have 
been  found  satisfactory  for  local  conditions. 

The  efficiency  or  value  of  a  caprifig  variety  depends  upon  the 
following  points: 

First,  the  number  of  female  insects  developed  from  the  galls. 

Second,  the  amount  of  viable  pollen  produced. 


Fig.  21. — Roeding  No.  1.  No  one  variety  of  caprifig  is  as  commonly  found 
in  the  San  Joaquin  Valley  as  this.  The  trees  are  very  vigorous  in  growth  and 
have  large,  deep  green  foliage.  Some  growers  regard  the  variety  favorably  while 
others  are  grafting  trees  over  to  better  varieties. 


Third,  the  season  of  maturity,  both  as  to  time  and  duration. 

Fourth,  the  abundance  of  well-developed  figs  of  the  profichi  crop. 

Fifth,  the  relative  abundance  and  certainty  of  the  mammoni  and 
mamme  crops. 

Sixth,  size  of  the  profichi  figs. 

Seventh,  hardiness  of  the  mamme  figs. 

Eighth,  texture  of  the  profichi  figs,  whether  "wet"  or  "dry." 

The  following  list  of  varieties  includes  those  which  are  being 
planted  commercially  at  the  present  time,  and  a  few  others  which  are 
being  tested  by  growers. 


368 


UNIVERSITY    OF    CALIFORNIA EXPERIMENT    STATION 


Magnissalis. — Profichi  figs,  large  to  very  large,  obovate,  prominently  ribbed, 
glossy  light  green  with  conspicuous  white  flecks;  meat  white  with  a  purplish  zone 
on  the  inner  part;  galls  and  stamens  numerous,  pollen  abundant.  Season,  medium. 
Mammoni  crop,  fair;  mamme  figs  large,  purplish  in  interior.  Tree  an  upright 
grower,  with  a  general  resemblance  to  trees  of  the  Smyrna  type. 

Introduced  by  G.  C.  Boeding  from  Asia  Minor  in  1901  and  named  after 
Mr.  S.  G.  Magnissalis  of  the  Herbeyli  District. 

Marlcarian  (Markarian  No.  2). — Profichi  figs  large  to  very  large,  uniform  in 
size  and  shape,  with  a  few  rather  prominent  ribs;  apex  smooth;   eye  depressed; 


Fig.  22. — Ficus  pseudocarica — female  fig  from  Tribble  Bros.,  Elk  Grove,  Sep- 
tember, 1917.  Ficus  pseudocarica  like  its  close  relative  Ficus  carica  produces 
both  "male"  and  "female"  figs.  These  edible  "female"  figs  of  the  pseudo- 
carica are  small  and  of  no  commercial  value. 


color  light  green  with  a  few  scattered  white  flecks  over  the  dull  surface;  neck 
short,  thick,  distinct;  meat  and  flower  stalks  white;  galls  and  stamens  numerous; 
pollen  abundant.  Season,  early.  Mammoni  crop  fair;  mamme  figs,  few.  Tree 
with  upright  branches.      (See  fig.   10.) 

Introduction  and  distribution  same  as  Samson  (Markarian  No.  1).  A  promis- 
ing early  variety. 

A  third  variety  has  been  grown  and  distributed  by  Mr.  Markarian  under  the 
name  Markarian  No.  3.  This  has  not  yet  been  thoroughly  tested  and  little  is 
known  of  its  value. 

Maslin  varieties.4 — The  Maslin  varieties  of  caprifigs  originated  as  seedlings 
in  the  E.  W.  Maslin  orchard  at  Loomis,  now  leased  by  the  United  States  Depart- 


*  See  Bulletin  732,  United  States  Department  of  Agriculture,  1918,  pp.  38,  39. 


Bulletin  319 


CAPRIFIGS   AND   CAPRIFICATION 


369 


ment  of  Agriculture.  During-  the  past  few  years  the  Department  has  distributed 
the  following  for  trial:  Maslin  No.  70  or  Bleasdale;  No.  144  or  Mason;  No.  147 
or  Loomis;  No.  148  or  Newcastle. 

Milco. — Profichi  figs  medium  to  large,  globular  or  slightly  oblique,  smooth; 
apex  rounded;  color  light  bluish-green  with  fairly  conspicuous  white  flecks;  neck 
very  short  or  missing;  meat  white  with  a  broad  band  of  violet  at  the  bases  of 
the  gall  flowers;  galls  and  stamens  numerous;  pollen  abundant.  Season  late. 
Mammoni  figs  numerous;  large,  pulpy,  edible  specimens,  reddish-brown  in  color, 
abundant  and  conspicuous  on  the  tree.     Mamme  crop  good,  certain.     Originally 


Fig.  23. — Neg.  1445.     Flcus  pseudocarica  from  male  tree  on  Peabody's  place, 
Santa  Barbara,  May  21,  1917. 


imported  from  Dalmatia  by  C.  N.  Milco.  A  very  good  variety  where  late  profichi 
figs  are  desired.  Large  trees  especially  common  in  Stanislaus  County.  (See 
fig.  4.) 

Pseudocarica  (Ficus  pseudocarica). — Profichi  figs  small  to  medium,  pyriform, 
with  a  distinct  slender,  tapering  neck  and  slender  stalk;  ribs  narrow,  fairly 
prominent  except  on  the  apex;  eye  protruding;  surface  pubescent,  dull;  color 
reddish-brown  or  even  purplish-black  in  the  sun;  meat  and  flowers  white;  galls 
and  stamens  numerous;  pollen  abundant.  Mamme  and  mammoni  figs  with  pollen- 
bearing  stamens.  Planted  experimentally  as  a  possible  pollenizer  of  the  breba 
crop  of  the  Smyrna  figs.  Eeported  to  be  a  very  good  caprifig  in  the  Imperial 
Valley,  where  seven  generations  of  Blastophaga  reach  maturity,  but  has  not  been 
planted  commercially  in  the  San  Joaquin  Valley.  Tree  a  straggling  grower  with 
slender  branches;  foliage  soft  and  velvety,  practically  entire.     (Figs.  22,  23.) 

First  introduced  by  Dr.  Franceschi  of  Santa  Barbara  from  Eritraea  and 
later  by  the  United  States  Department  of  Agriculture  from  Eritraea  and  Abyssinia. 


370  UNIVERSITY    OF    CALIFORNIA EXPERIMENT    STATION 

Boeding  No.  1. — Profichi  figs  medium,  short-pyriform,  smooth  with  few  ribs; 
neck  distinct,  short;  apex  flattened;  eye  protruding;  color  deep  green,  with 
inconspicuous  white  flecks,  often  reddish  brown  on  the  side;  meat  white  with  a 
purplish  zone  at  the  bases  of  the  flower  stalks ;  galls  and  stamens  mostly  plentiful ; 
pollen  abundant.  Season,  medium.  Mammoni  figs  fairly  numerous;  mamme  crop 
good.  Trees  vigorous,  spreading,  dense,  with  large  foliage ;  more  commonly  found 
in  San  Joaquin  Valley  than  any  other  one  variety.  Introduced  by  G.  C.  Eoeding, 
Fresno,  from  Asia  Minor.     (See  fig.  21.) 

Boeding  No.  2. — Profichi  figs  small,  round  pyriform,  with  inconspicuous  ribs; 
neck  short;  apex  rounded,  eye  protruding;  surface  smooth,  glossy,  greenish- 
yellow;  meat  white  with  purple  zone  at  bases  of  the  flower  stalks;  galls  fairly 
plentiful;  pollen  abundant.  Season  later  than  Eoeding  No.  1.  Mammoni  and 
mamme  crops  practically  none,  hence  a  variable  profichi  crop  unless  well  caprified 
from  other  trees.  Trees  upright  in  growth,  with  rather  slender  branches  and  small, 
sparse  foliage.  Not  generally  favored  by  growers  on  account  of  small,  dry  fruit 
and  absence  of  summer  and  winter  crops.  Introduced  by  G.  C.  Eoeding  with 
his  No.  1. 

Boeding  No.  3. — Profichi  figs  large,  pyriform,  with  a  short  neck ;  ribs  very 
prominent,  extending  from  the  neck  to  the  flattened  apex;  eye  prominent;  color 
green  or  yellowish-green  with  the  surface  conspicuously  flecked  with  white;  meat 
white  with  deep  purple  zone  at  bases  of  flower  stalks;  galls  numerous;  pollen 
abundant.  Season,  early.  Mammoni  figs  large,  ribbed,  fairly  numerous;  mamme 
crop  usually  good,  reported  to  be  somewhat  tender.  Trees  of  dwarf  habit,  with 
slender  twigs  and  small  foliage;  vigorous  in  some  sections  and  weak-growing  in 
others.    An  excellent  variety.     Introduced  by  G.  C.  Eoeding  with  Nos.  1  and  2. 

Boeding  No.  4. — Profichi  figs  small  to  medium,  short- pyriform;  apex  rounded 
with  protruding  eye;  color  dark  green;  interior  purplish;  galls  and  stamens 
abundant.  Season  medium  to  late,  long  continued.  Mammoni  and  mamme  crops 
good  on  some  trees  and  poor  on  others.  Trees  very  similar  to  and  often  confused 
with  Eoeding  No.  2,  but  more  generally  favored  than  the  latter  variety.  Intro- 
duced by  G.  C.  Eoeding. 

Samson  (Markarian  No.  1). — Profichi  figs  large,  obovate,  irregular  in  shape 
and  size,  very  dark  green  with  numerous  and  conspicuous  white  flecks  on  the 
surface;  ribs  fairly  prominent;  apex  depressed,  eye  slightly  protruding;  neck 
short  and  thick;  inner  portion  of  meat  very  dark  violet-purple,  more  so  than 
in  any  other  variety  so  far  studied;  galls  and  stamens  numerous,  pollen  abundant. 
Season,  medium.  Mammoni  crop  fair;  mamme  figs,  medium  in  size,  dark  purple 
inside.     Tree  vigorous,  dense,  spreading.      (See  figs.   11,  12.) 

Probably  introduced  by  G.  P.  Eixford  with  the  original  importation  of 
Smyrna  figs  and  first  planted  on  the  Stanford  Eanch  at  Vina,  where  the  parent 
tree  is  still  growing  a  short  distance  north  of  the  old  ranch  house.  Cuttings  and 
trees  widely  distributed  by  H.  Samson  of  Corning.  Later  obtained  by  H. 
Markarian  of  Fresno  and  named  by  him  Markarian  No.  1.  Figs  of  the  profichi 
crop  affected  by  a  peculiar  blemish  or  spot  which  not  only  mars  the  appearance 
but  prevents  the  figs  from  developing  properly.  Here  named  Samson  instead  of 
Markarian  No.  1  in  order  to  avoid  confusion  with  the  No.  1  variety  of  Eoeding. 

Stanford. — Profichi  figs  oblique-pyriform  with  distinct,  somewhat  elongated 
neck;  size  irregular  but  usually  above  medium;  ribs  narrow,  distinct  but  hardly 
conspicuous;  surface  appearing  smooth,  somewhat  glossy  or  covered  with  a  bluish 
bloom;  apex  rounded;  eye  protruding;  color  light  to  dark  green,  with  or  without 


Bulletin  319 


CAPRIFIGS    AND    CAPRIFICATION 


371 


white  flecks;  interior  white;  galls  and  stamens  numerous;  pollen  abundant; 
season  medium,  long  continued.  Mammoni  and  mamme  crops  abundant,  certain. 
Trees  vigorous,  dense,  spreading,  with  dark  green  foliage.  Undoubtedly  the  best 
single  variety  for  commercial  planting.  Introduced  with  the  original  Smyrna  fig 
cuttings  from  Asia  Minor  by  G.  P.  Eixford  and  distributed  by  him;  one  of  the 
large  original  trees  growing  on  the  old  Stanford  Eanch,  Vina.  (See  fig.  20.) 
Miscellaneous  varieties: 

Howard. — Introduced  from  Italy  and  distributed  by  G.  C.  Eoeding. 

Capri  E. — Introduced  by  G.  C.  Eoeding,  but  history  and  identity  lost.    Eeported 
to  be  a  satisfactory  and  promising  variety  at  Eeedley  and  Orosi. 

Van  Lennep. — Introduced  by  D.  Van  Lennep  of  Auburn ;  profichi  figs  purplish- 
brown  when  mature. 


Tabulated  Data  of  Caprifig  Varieties 


Average  no.  of  Blastophaga 


Average 
no.  of 

Variety  galls 

Eoeding   No.    1 398 

Eoeding    No.    2 938 

Eoeding   No.    3 1349 

Eoeding   No.    4 509 

Samson    (Markarian 

No.   1)    434 

Markarian    (No.  2)..  954 

Milco    635 

Stanford    401 

Maslin  No.     70 903 

Maslin  No.  140 1011 

Maslin  No.  147 711 

(from  Ceres) 

Maslin  No.  147 1048 

(from  Loomis) 

Maslin  No.  148 904 

Magnissalis   


No. 
counted 

Average 

no.  of 
stamens 

Profichi 

crop 

Mamme 

i  crop 

r 
Females 

Males 

Females 

Males 

Season 

10 

108 

472 

34 

216 

34 

Medium 

10 

98 

354 

31 

244 

44 

Medium 

7 

166 

751 

41 

403 

41 

Early 

10 

103 

617 

32 

Medium 

10 

233 

443 

33 

Medium 

9 

188 

437 

19 

Early 

10 

118 

389 

51 

236 

35 

Late 

10 

181 

542 

27 

Medium 

3 

125 

Medium 

5 

168 

Medium 

3 

307 

.... 

Medium 

5 

161 

.... 

Medium 

5 

145 

Medium 

449 

19 

Medium 

Some  of  the  records  shown  in  the  table  were  obtained  from  figs 
placed  in  glass  chimneys  covered  with  a  cloth,  others  from  figs  enclosed 
in  cloth  and  paper  bags  on  the  tree.  As  already  explained  only  a 
small  percentage  of  the  males  issne,  most  of  them  remaining  inside 
among  the  gall  flowers,  from  which  it  is  difficult  to  collect  them  intact. 


CAPRIFICATION    OF   COMMON    FIGS 

It  is  now  generally  recognized  that  common  figs,  snch  as  the 
Adriatic,  the  Mission,  and  the  Dottato  (Kadota)  can  be  caprified  as 
readily  as  the  Smyrna  figs.  Over  a  decade  ago  at  least  two  European 
writers  described  more  or  less  in  detail  the  changes  occurring  in  size, 
shape,  color  of  skin  and  flesh,  and  quality,  due  to  caprification  of 


372  UNIVERSITY    OF    CALIFORNIA EXPERIMENT    STATION 

certain  varieties  of  common  figs.  G.  Celi5  concluded  that  caprified  figs 
have  a  greater  tendency  to  split,  and  further  that  caprification 
increases  the  size  of  the  fruit  but  injures  the  quality.  Du  Sablon6 
concluded  that  caprification  increases-  the  volume  and  the  weight 
materially,  and  the  water  content  slightly,  but  decreases  the  sugar 
content.  He  believed  that  on  the  whole,  caprification  is  advantageous. 
Both  writers  studied  fresh  figs  only. 

G.  P.  Rixford  in  1918  gave  it  as  his  opinion  that  it  would  pay 
anyone  planting  Mission,  Adriatic,  or  other  common  varieties  of  figs 
to  plant  also  sufficient  caprifig  trees  to  caprify  the  orchard.  Tribble 
Bros.7  of  Elk  Grove  also  report  favorable  results  in  caprifying  com- 
mon figs. 

The  effects  of  caprification  upon  different  varieties  of  figs  are  so 
marked  that  it  seems  well  to  note  them  more  or  less  in  detail. 

Adriatic. — Exterior  appearance  only  slightly  changed  by  capri- 
fication; center  of  the  uncaprified  figs  hollow,  of  the  caprified  figs 
solid ;  color  of  flesh  of  uncaprified  figs,  light  strawberry,  of  the  capri- 
fied, deep  strawberry-red;  flavor  of  the  caprified  figs  peculiarly  acid. 
Fertile  seeds  in  eleven  caprified  specimens  vary  in  number  from 
472  to  1288  in  number.  Caprified  Adriatic  figs  often  retain  a  greenish 
color  in  drying  but  are  noticeably  lighter  and  more  attractive  in 
appearance  than  the  uncaprified  specimens. 

Some  experienced  growers  of  the  Adriatic  fig  are  positive  that 
caprification  causes  the  fruit  to  split  and  increases  the  amount  of 
infestation  by  worms.  On  the  other  hand,  careful  records  made  during 
the  drying  season  show  that  the  weight  of  the  dried  fruit  is  increased 
from  10  to  20  per  cent.  Where  the  Adriatic  fig  is  grown  under  the 
best  conditions,  that  is  where  the  water  table  is  not  too  high  and 
atmospheric  humidity  is  low,  the  caprification  of  the  crop  is  certainly 
justified,  providing  caprifigs  can  be  obtained  at  a  reasonable  price. 

Mission. — The  only  external  evidence  of  caprification  in  the  Mis- 
sion fig  is  the  increased  size.  Internally  the  color  of  the  flesh  is  a 
considerably  darker  red.  The  caprified  figs  when  dried  are  larger  on 
an  average,  of  better  texture,  and  of  richer  quality  on  account  of  the 
fertile  seeds. 

Dottato  (Kadota). — Caprification  affects  the  fruit  of  the  Dottato 
more  noticeably  than  it  does  most  other  common  figs.  The  differences 
may  be  noted  as  follows :  The  color  of  the  uncaprified  fig  is  a  light, 


s  G.  Celi.     Atti.  E.  Institute*  D  'Incorraggiamento  Napoli,  6  ser.,  Vol.  59,  pp. 
541-654,  1907. 

e  L.  Du  Sabon,  Rev.  Gen.  Bot.,  vol.  20,  nos.  232,  233,  1908. 
7  Tribble  Bros.     Pacific  Rural  Press,  Jan.  20,  1912,  p.  52. 


Bulletin  319  CAPRIFIGS  AND  CAPRIFICATION  373 

lemon  yellow,  the  surface  somewhat  glossy;  of  the  caprified  fig,  the 
color  is  green  or  yellowish  green  and  the  surface  dull.  Ribs  on 
uncaprified  figs  practically  absent,  on  caprified  fruit  ribbed  appear- 
ance marked,  especially  in  the  wilted  specimens.  Meat  or  rind 
seemingly  little  affected  in  thickness  and  texture.  Color  of  flesh  in 
uncaprified  figs  amber  or  pinkish-amber  to  light  strawberry,  in  capri- 
fied specimens  much  deeper.  Uncaprified  figs,  practically  seedless,  at 
least  seeds  small  and  hardly  noticeable;  caprified  figs  with  numerous, 
large,  fertile  seeds.    Flavor  of  caprified  figs  sweeter  and  richer. 

The  value  of  caprification  of  the  Dottato  fig  depends  upon  the 
ultimate  use  of  the  fruit.  For  fresh-fruit  shipping  the  figs  are  larger 
and  heavier,  but  the  naturally  good  shipping  quality  is  somewhat 
impaired.  For  drying,  the  caprified  figs  are  much  superior  to  the 
uncaprified,  although  the  skin  is  still  thick  and*  tough.  For  preserv- 
ing, the  uncaprified  figs  are  much  more  desirable  because  they  are 
better  in  appearance,  in  size,  and  in  canning  quality.  Most  growers 
prefer  the  uncaprified  fruit  and  avoid  caprification  if  possible. 

Fertile  seeds  in  Dottato  figs  were  counted  as  follows :  544,  412,  402, 
and  667. 

Analyses  of  Caprified  and  Uncaprified  Figs 

Variety 
Fig  d;Or,  caprified 
Fig  d'Or,  uncaprified 
Fig  Datte,  caprified 
Fig  Datte,  uncaprified 
Bourjassotte,  caprified 
Bourjassotte,  uncaprified 
Adriatic,  caprified 
Adriatic,  uncaprified 
Dottato   (Kadota),  caprified 
Dottato   (Kadota),  uncaprified 
Dottato   (dried),  caprified 
Dottato   (dried),  uncaprified 
Adriatic   (half  dried),  caprified 
Adriatic   (half  dried),  uncaprified 
Adriatic  (fresh),  uncaprified 
Adriatic   (fresh),  caprified 
Adriatic   (dry),  uncaprified 
Adriatic   (dry),  caprified 

The  figures  shown  above  are  somewhat  conflicting.  In  the  analyses 
reported  by  Du  Sablon  and  Jaffa  the  uncaprified  figs  show  the  highest 
percentage  of  sugar ;  in  those  made  by  Cruess  and  Albro  the  caprified 
figs  show  the  highest  sugar  content.    While  the  percentages  given  by 


Analysis  by 
Du  Sablon 

Percent  of 
water 

80 

Percent  of 
sugar 

11.2 

i  t 

74 

12.6 

1 1 

71 

14.3 

t  c 

71 

18.7 

c  < 

70 

3.5 

i  t 

76 

6.2 

W.  V.  Cruess 



19.05 

a 



18.00 

i  ( 



35.2 

1 1 



28.4 

F.  W.  Albro 

22.57 

75.36 

t  ( 

25.75 

68.16 

F.  E.  Twining 

27.05 

34.8 

1 1 

28.7 

35.5 

M.  E.  Jaffa 

70.70 

18.78 

t  < 

74.70 

13.00 

a 

18.00 

51.50 

i( 

16.00 

48.50 

374  UNIVERSITY    OF    CALIFORNIA — EXPERIMENT    STATION 

Twining  show  the  uncaprified  figs  to  contain  somewhat  more  sugar 
than  the  caprified,  tests  of  individual  figs  made  by  him  show  the  capri- 
fied  fruit  to  have  both  the  highest  and  the  lowest  percentage  of  sugar, 
namely  43.1  and  30.6. 

ECONOMIC   CONSIDERATIONS 

The  cost  of  caprification  has  been  estimated8  as  "not  to  exceed 
2  cents  per  tree  or  from  $1.00  to  $1.50  per  acre."  This  may  have  been 
possible  in  years  long  past,  but  is  certainly  not  possible  with  the 
present  price  of  labor.  The  items  which  enter  into  the  consideration 
of  costs  may  be  enumerated  as  follows :  containers,  picking  the  capri 
figs,  cartage,  distribution  in  the  orchard,  producing  value  of  land 
devoted  to  caprifig  trees,  occasional  mamme  figs  to  recolonize  trees  or 
additional  profichi  figs  to  supplement  the  grower's  own  crop. 

The  cost  of  containers  will  vary  from  a  few  cents  up  to  ten  cents 
each,  depending  upon  the  kind  used.  Since  the  first  cost  of  the  wire 
baskets  is  low,  from  $3.00  to  $10.00  per  acre  depending  upon  the 
use  of  one,  two  or  three  baskets  per  tree,  such  containers  are  most 
economical  in  the  end. 

It  is  difficult  to  give  any  figures  on  the  cost  of  picking  caprifigs  on 
account  of  the  great  differences  in  pickers,  trees,  varieties,  and  amount 
of  mature  fruit  on  the  tree  at  one  time.  For  purposes  of  making  esti- 
mates, however,  it  can  be  stated  that  one  man  can  harvest  from  the 
tree  and  ground  about  500  caprifigs  per  hour.  Two  or  more  men 
usually  work  together,  one  being  engaged  to  gather  the  figs  from  the 
ground  in  order  to  avoid  injury  from  the  sun.  There  may  or  may 
not  be  an  item  for  cartage  since  this  depends  on  the  location  of  the 
caprifig  trees. 

The  caprifigs  can  be  distributed  in  the  orchard  somewhat  more 
rapidly  than  they  can  be  picked,  possibly  one-half  again  as  fast.  The 
rapidity  of  distribution  depends  upon  the  size  of  trees,  number  of 
baskets  in  each  tree,  spacing  of  the  trees,  and  their  branching  habit. 
If  the  boxes  of  caprifigs  are  placed  at  convenient  points  in  the  orchard, 
a  good  workman  should  distribute  from  500  to  750  figs  per  hour. 

The  caprifig  tree  is  in  itself  not  productive  of  a  marketable  food 
crop.  The  crop  has  a  commercial  value  and  many  trees  are  more 
remunerative  than  other  fig  trees  producing  edible  figs.  In  general, 
however,  it  can  be  said  that  caprifig  trees  are  maintained  in  the 
orchard  simply  to  make  it  possible  for  the  remaining  trees  to  produce 
a  commercial  crop.     The  productive  value  of  the  space  occupied  by 


Bulletin  732,  United  States  Department  of  Agriculture,  1918,  p.  19. 


Bulletin  319  caprifigs  and  caprification  375 

the  caprifig  trees,  therefore,  must  be  taken  into  account  when  com- 
paring the  cost  of  producing  Smyrna  figs  with  that  of  other  varieties 
which  do  not  require  caprification. 

It  is  frequently  necessary  for  growers  to  recolonize  caprifig  trees 
in  April  following  a  cold  winter  or  to  purchase  early  mamme  figs  to 
insure  an  early  setting  of  the  profichi  crop.  Since  mamme  figs  of  good 
varieties  are  known  to  contain  several  hundred  female  Blastophagas 
each,  the  number  required  to  produce  a  good  setting  of  profichi  figs  is 
not  large.  The  insects  from  one  mamme  fig  should  make  several  score 
of  profichi  figs  set.  Higher  prices  for  a  few  mamme  figs  are  therefore 
more  justified  than  for  the  large  number  of  profichi  figs  required. 
The  prevailing  price  during  the  past  three  years  in  the  San  Joaquin 
Valley  has  been  five  cents  for  each  mamme  fig. 

Growers  of  Smyrna  figs  are  fast  learning  the  advisability  of 
planting  enough  caprifig  trees  of  good  varieties  to  provide  for  the 
caprification  of  their  own  orchard.  It  is  often  necessary,  however,  to 
purchase  additional  profichi  figs  from  neighbors  or  from  distant 
growers.  For  example,  in  1918  one  district  alone  obtained  from  other 
counties  259,000  caprifigs  at  a  total  cost  of  $1807. 9  Owners  of  an 
individual  or  of  a  few  caprifig  trees  are  accustomed  to  contract  the 
crop  to  Smyrna  fig  growers  at  from  $5.00  to  as  high  as  $50.00  per 
tree,  depending  upon  the  size  of  the  tree  and  its  crop.  In  case  the 
figs  are  sold  in  small  lots  they  are  quoted  at  $1.50  per  hundred,  or 
even  higher  for  smaller  quantities  than  one  hundred.  In  larger  quan- 
tities profichi  figs  bring  from  $6.00  to  $10.00  per  thousand.  Since 
some  varieties  are  more  efficient  than  others  it  would  seem  justifiable 
to  adopt  a  sliding  scale  of  prices,  quoting  a  higher  price  for  the  larger 
and  finer  figs  than  for  the  smaller  and  less  efficient  ones. 

9  Itemized  as  follows : 

From  Reedley  and  Fresno: 

76,000  figs  @  $10.00  per  M $760.00 

From  U.  S.  Department  of  Agriculture,  Loomis : 

17,000  figs  @  $3.00  per  M 51.00 

From  Ceres: 

166,000  figs.  @  $6.00  per  M 996.00 

Total $1807.00 


10m-3,'20 


STATION  PUBLICATIONS  AVAILABLE  FOR  FREE  DISTRIBUTION 


No. 
168. 

169. 
185. 

208. 
230. 
250. 
251. 


252. 
253. 


257. 
261. 


262. 


263. 
266. 


267. 
268. 
270. 


271. 
272. 
273. 

274. 

275. 

276. 

277. 
278. 
279. 
280. 

281. 


Observations  on  Some  Vine  Diseases 
in   Sonoma   County. 

Tolerance  of  the  Sugar  Beet  for  Alkali. 

Report  of  Progress  in  Cereal  Investi- 
gations. 

The  Late  Blight  of  Celery. 

Enological  Investigations. 

The  Loquat. 

Utilization  of  the  Nitrogen  and  Organic 
Matter  in  Septic  and  Imhoff  Tank 
Sludges. 

Deterioration  of  Lumber. 

Irrigation  and  Soil  Conditions  in  the 
Sierra   Nevada   Foothills,    California. 

New  Dosage  Tables. 

Melaxuma  of  the  Walnut,  "Juglans 
regia." 

Citrus  Diseases  of  Florida  and  Cuba 
Compared  with  Those  of  California. 

Size  Grades  for  Ripe  Olives. 

A  Spotting  of  Citrus  Fruits  Due  to  the 
Action  of  Oil  Liberated  from  the 
Rind. 

Experiments  with  Stocks  for  Citrus. 

Growing  and  Grafting  Olive  Seedlings. 

A  Comparison  of  Annual  Cropping,  Bi- 
ennial Cropping,  and  Green  Manures 
on  the  Yield  of  Wheat. 

Feeding  Dairy  Calves  in  California. 

Commercial  Fertilizers. 

Preliminary  Report  on  Kearney  Vine- 
yard Experimental  Drain. 

The  Common  Honey  Bee  as  an  Agent 
in  Prune  Pollination. 

The  Cultivation  of  Belladonna  in  Cali- 
fornia. 

The  Pomegranate. 

Sudan  Grass. 

Grain   Sorghums. 

Irrigation  of  Rice  in  California. 

Irrigation  of  Alfalfa  in  the  Sacramento 
Valley. 

Control  of  the  Pocket  Gopher  in  Cali- 
fornia. 


BULLETINS 

No. 

282. 


283. 
285. 
286. 
288. 

290. 

293. 
296. 
297. 
298. 
299. 

300. 
301. 


303. 
304. 


305. 


307. 
308. 


309. 

310. 
311. 
312. 
313. 

314. 
316. 
317. 

318. 
319. 
320. 


Trials  with  California  Silage  Crops  for 
Dairy  Cows. 

The  Olive  Insects  of  California. 

The  Milch  Goat  in  California. 

Commercial  Fertilizers. 

Potash  from  Tule  and  the  Fertilizer 
Value  of  Certain  Marsh  Plants. 

The  June  Drop  of  Washington  Navel 
Oranges. 

Sweet  Sorghums  for  Forage. 

Topping  and   Pinching  Vines. 

The  Almond  in  California. 

Seedless   Raisin   Grapes. 

The  Use  of  Lumber  on  California 
Farms. 

Commercial  Fertilizers. 

California  State  Dairy  Cow  Competi- 
tion, 1916-18. 

Control  of  Ground  Squirrels  by  the 
Fumigation  Method. 

Grape  Syrup. 

A  Study  on  the  Effects  of  Freezes  on 
Citrus  in  California. 

The  Influence  of  Barley  on  the  Milk 
Secretion  of  Cows. 

Pollination  of  the  Bartlett  Pear. 

I.  Fumigation  with  Liquid  Hydrocianic 
Acid.  II.  Physical  and  Chemical 
Properties  of  Liquid  Hydrocianic 
Acid. 

I.  The  Carob  in  California.  II.  Nutri- 
tive Value  of  the  Carob  Bean. 

Plum  Pollination. 

Investigations  with  Milking  Machines. 

Mariout  Barley. 

Pruning  Young  Deciduous  Fruit 
Trees. 

Cow-Testing  Associations  in  California. 

The  Kaki  or  Oriental  Persimmon. 

Selection  of  Stocks  in  Citrus  Propoga- 
tion. 

The  Effects  of  Alkali  on  Citrus  Trees. 

Caprifigs  and  Caprifieation. 

Control  of  the  Coyote  in  California. 


No. 

50. 
65. 

70. 

76. 
82. 

87. 
109. 


110. 
111. 

113. 
114. 
115. 
117. 

124. 
126. 
127. 
128. 
129. 
130. 
131. 
133. 


Fumigation   Scheduling. 

The  California  Insecticide  Law. 

Observations  on  the  Status  of  Corn 
Growing  in  California. 

Hot  Room  Callusing. 

The  Common  Ground  Squirrels  of 
California. 

Alfalfa. 

Community  or  Local  Extension  Work 
by  the  High  School  Agricultural  De- 
partment. 

Green  Manuring  in  California. 

The  Use  of  Lime  and  Gypsum  on  Cali- 
fornia  Soils. 

Correspondence  Courses  in  Agriculture. 

Increasing  the  Duty  of  Water. 

Grafting  Vinifera  Vineyards. 

The  Selection  and  Cost  of  a  Small 
Pumping  Plant. 

Alfalfa  Silage  for  Fattening  Steers. 

Spraying  for  the  Grape  Leaf  Hopper. 

House  Fumigation. 

Insecticide  Formulas. 

The  Control  of  Citrus  Insects. 

Cabbage  Growing  in  California. 

Spraying  for  Control  of  Walnut  Aphis. 

County  Farm  Adviser. 


CIRCULARS 

No. 
135. 
136. 
137. 
138. 
139. 


140. 


143. 

144. 

147. 
148. 
152. 

153. 

154. 

155. 
156. 
157. 
158. 
159. 
160. 


Official  Tests  of  Dairy  Cows. 

Melilotus  Indica. 

Wood  Decay  in  Orchard  Trees. 

The  Silo  in  California  Agriculture. 

The  Generation  of  Hydrocyanic  Acid 
Gas  in  Fumigation  by  Portable 
Machines. 

The  Practical  Application  of  Improved 
Methods  of  Fermentation  in  Califor- 
nia Wineries  during  1913  and  1914. 

Control  of  Grasshoppers  in  Imperial 
Valley. 

Oidium  or  Powdery  Mildew  of  the  Vine. 

Tomato  Growing  in  California. 

"Lungworms". 

Some  Observations  on  the  Bulk  Hand- 
ling of  Grain  in  California. 

Announcement  of  the  California  State 
Dairy  Cow  Competition,  1916-18. 

Irrigation  Practice  in  Growing  Small 
Fruits  in  California. 

Bovine  Tuberculosis. 

How  to  Operate  an  Incubator. 

Control  of  the  Pear  Scab. 

Home  and  Farm  Canning. 

Agriculture  in  the  Imperial  Valley. 

Lettuce  Growing  in  California. 


OIRCULA  RS— Continued 


No. 
164. 
165. 

167. 
168. 

169. 
170. 

172. 
173 

174. 
175. 


177. 
178. 
179. 

181. 

182. 

183. 
184. 

185. 

187. 
188. 


No. 

Small   Fruit  Culture  in  California.  189. 

Fxindamentals   of    Sugar    Beet   Culture  190. 

under  California  Conditions.  193. 

Feeding  Stuffs  of  Minor  Importance.  195. 
Spraying     for     the     Control     of     Wild 

Morning-Glory  within  the  Fog  Belt.  197. 
The    1918   Grain   Crop. 

Fertilizing     California     Soils     for     the  198. 

1918   Crop.  199. 

Wheat  Culture.  201. 

The    Construction    of    the    Wood-Hoop  202. 

Silo. 

Farm  Drainage  Methods.  203. 

Progress  Report  on  the  Marketing  and  204. 

Distribution  of  Milk. 

Hog  Cholera  Prevention  and  the  Serum  205. 

Treatment.  206. 

Grain    Sorghums.  207. 

The  Packing  of  Apples  in  California.  208. 
Factors   of     Importance    in    Producing 

Milk  of  Low  Bacterial   Count.  209. 

Control     of      the     California     Ground  210. 

Squirrel.  213. 

Extending  the  Area  of  Irrigated  Wheat  214. 

in  California  for  1918. 

Infectious  Abortion  in  Cows.  215. 

A  Flock  of  Sheep  on  the  Farm.  216. 
Beekeeping   for   the   Fruit-grower    and 

Small  Rancher  or  Amateur.  217. 
Utilizing  the   Sorghums. 
Lambing  Sheds. 


Winter  Forage  Crops. 

Agriculture  Clubs  in   California. 

A  Study  of  Farm  Labor  in  California. 

Revised  Compatibility  Chart  of  Insecti- 
cides and  Fungicides. 

Suggestions  for  Increasing  Egg  Produc- 
tion in  a  Time  of  High-Feed  Prices. 

Syrup  from   Sweet  Sorghum. 

Onion  Growing  in  California. 

Helpful  Hints  to  Hog  Raisers. 

County  Organization  for  Rural  Fire 
Control. 

Peat   as   a  Manure   Substitute. 

Handbook  of  Plant  Diseases  and  Pest 
Control. 

Blackleg. 

Jack  Cheese. 

Neufchatel  Cheese. 

Summary  of  the  Annual  Reports  of  the 
Farm  Advisors  of  California. 

The  Function  of  the  Farm  Bureau. 

Suggestions  to  the  Settler  in  California. 

Evaporators  for  Prune  Drying. 

Seed  Treatment  for  the  Prevention  of 
Cereal  Smuts. 

Feeding  Dairy  Cows  in  California. 

Winter  Injury  or  Die-Back  of  the  Wal- 
nut. 

Methods  for  Marketing  Vegetables  in 
California. 


